3 weeks in

[Cross471]

I started riding in 1990 on an British Army Armstrong 500.  The first bike I owned was a CZ 350…. Interesting Eastern Block machine that served me well and no self respecting thief  would steal it.  I haven’t owned too many other bikes; a Honda vF 750, a VFR, a Firestorm and an SP1..  I had a break of About 12 years before I picked up my Trophy about 3 weeks ago - no point in easing myself back in slowly!

First few thoughts of the Trophy…

1.  Oh my - she’s a big ole girl
2. Oh my - she’s a big ole girl
3. If I stop and not ready…. She’s a big ole girl. 
4.  I need some leg workouts so I don’t lay her down in the gravel
5.  Getting her on the centre stand is a knack (nearly got it)
6.  Seat is really comfy.
7.  I need to do some yoga coz she is soooo wide.
8.  I ride like a policeman..  (just a thought as I’m not that proficient)
9. Today was the first ride I had that I wasn’t crapping myself.
10.  The screen is awesome.
11. The heated grip are awesome.
12.  AMG mercs aren’t as quick off the line as a Trophy..
13.  She is a big ole girl but falling for her charms.


What do you love about yours?

[digital]

    

[fluxxcomp]

Hi There! Greetings from the Bay Area.

Welcome to the club... ! 

  you rode JAWA CZ 350 ?? 2cyl2Stroke ??  You are a hero. (I started out on MZ 250 in East Germany 1983)
Yes the big ol Lady wants to be held. I recommend the TRALEX crash bars, both front and back. saves on the paint job...

Cheers & Welcom

[trophied]

  to the forum!  That's the blue ribbon introduction of the forum!   Glad you're enjoying it.  A friend in high school in the sixties had a 175 Zundapp that you just couldn't kill.  I thought THAT was heavy.  My how times change!   You might want to step over to the New Members section and officially introduce yourself to the crew here.

[Cross471]

Originally Posted by trophied

to the forum!  That's the blue ribbon introduction of the forum!   Glad you're enjoying it.  A friend in high school in the sixties had a 175 Zundapp that you just couldn't kill.  I thought THAT was heavy.  My how times change!   You might want to step over to the New Members section and officially introduce yourself to the crew here.

Thanks.  Already been on the new members and done the intro thing.  Just thought I’d update peeps on progress.

[Cross471]

Originally Posted by fluxxcomp

Hi There! Greetings from the Bay Area.

Welcome to the club... ! 

  you rode JAWA CZ 350 ?? 2cyl2Stroke ??  You are a hero. (I started out on MZ 250 in East Germany 1983)
Yes the big ol Lady wants to be held. I recommend the TRALEX crash bars, both front and back. saves on the paint job...

Cheers & Welcom

I was indeed a Jawa…. Flip the gear lever over to kick start, clean the oil out of the exhaust every 6 months, set the timing, add some self mix fuel and off ya go.  I ran it for a couple of years in South London before I lost 2 and 3 gear somewhere near Greenwich.  I’ll take a look at the trailer bars.  Thnx

[Coconut]

Hi Cross471,

You may have already spotted it, but there's a Topic dedicated to
putting the Trophy on the Centre Stand, complete with Video here :

HOW TO: Put the Trophy onto the Centre / Center Stand !

It's all about the technique, but be aware that if the Rear Suspension is ever lowered,
by fitting different Drop Links, then it can be even harder to get it onto the Centre Stand !

The task can be made easier in the garage by riding up onto a small block of wood
so there is less height to overcome. ( Some Members carry an Off cut or two in the Top Case ! ).

I think you may have also noticed that the Trophy is quite a heavy bike ! 

This is especially so at very slow speeds and when stopped,
and you should always choose where to stop by looking at the surface
where you will plant your foot / feet, and the camber / slope of the surface -
avoiding loose gravel, white road paint, tar snakes, drain covers, wet patches,
spilt oil / fuel patches, etc etc to make sure your foot / feet have a good grip,
and that if for example, the road slopes away to the left where you intend to stop
you plan to put your right foot down first, and vice versa.

..... or better still - don't stop !   

Cheers 



 
 

[GarminDave]

Good summary, yes she is big but I have long levers at 6'3" (1.91m), which helps but at var nigh 71 I'm starting to notice her weight.

I too rode an Armstrong 500cc, I called it my "Hedge Seeking Missile", I always said I would not ride it further than I could push it.  If the Trophy has a knack for getting it onto the centre stand then the Armstrong certainly had a knack for starting it.

Enjoy your trophy and enjoy this forum.